72 RIDING 



generally required, and it would be better to have it an inch too 

 long than a quarter of an inch too short. It is also a mistake 

 to have the snaffle too thin in the mouthpiece. It should be 

 about two and a half inches round. The snaffle should be fitted 

 so low that it will not wrinkle the corners of the horse's mouth, 

 and the keys should nearly touch the lower teeth, so as to 

 encourage the horse to play with them. The cavesson and 

 snaffle having been properly fitted, the roller should now be 

 put on, and it should have a buckle on each side at equal dis- 

 tance from the centre, on which the side reins can be fastened ; 

 there should also be a hook at the top in the middle, midway 

 between the buckles, where the reins of the snaffle may be 

 fastened. A numnah, folded rug, or blanket should be placed 

 on the horse's back under the roller, which should only be 

 fastened tightly enough to keep it in its place ; the same rule 

 applies to the care required in putting on the roller here as in 

 the stable, especially if the horse has not been accustomed to 

 stand in one ; the side reins should then be buckled to the rings 

 of the snaffle, but in doing so no attempt is to be made to bear 

 him up. It is to be specially mentioned that in these lessons 

 you wish the horse to go forward, which he is not very likely to 

 do if confined by the head. The reins therefore should be of 

 the same length on each side, but quite loose, in fact, about the 

 same length as the reins of the snaffle, which are fastened full 

 length on the top of the roller ; rather than have them too 

 tight to begin with, it is better to leave them off altogether 

 for a few days. In putting on the tackle and longeing two 

 men are necessary, but more are in the way ; the fewer people 

 there are about when you want to do anything with a young 

 horse that he has not been accustomed to the better ; one 

 man to hold him and the other to put on the tackle is quite 

 enough. 



It is most essential that all the tackle required to be used 

 in breaking should be kept in the best possible working order ; 

 the leathers should be constantly well soaped so as to render 

 them pliable, and all the buckles frequently oiled so that they 



